Point Blanc by Kevin Allison of Parkersburg (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — The Parkersburg Art Center is inviting the community to the opening reception for the PAC Regional Exhibit on Friday.

The opening is slated for 5-7 p.m. Friday, with awards to be announced at 6 p.m. Admission is free and open to all, as the reception coincides with the July Meet Me on Market event in downtown Parkersburg.

This year, a record-breaking 218 works were submitted by 92 amateur and professional artists living within a 100-mile radius of Parkersburg.

The exhibit includes a wide range of media – paintings in oil, acrylic, watercolor and gouache; drawings in pencil, pastel, charcoal, chalk, graphite and acrylic marker; photography in many forms; and works in wood, collage, clay, stoneware, textiles, glass and mixed media.

Artists were encouraged to reflect on this year’s theme of Compassion.

Sunflower Sky by Hayley Combs of Ripley (Photo Provided)

Juror Alison Helm, retired head of the School of Art & Design at West Virginia University, selected winners in four categories: two-dimensional, three-dimensional, photo/digital and theme-based work.

“Selecting award winners was no easy task, given the variety and quality on display,” Helm said in her juror’s statement. “The show is a celebration of creative freedom, with works that range widely in subject, style and tone.”

Art Center Artistic Director Abby Hayhurst said the entries came from favorite area artists and newcomers.

“You can believe we will use about every inch of wall space to display everything, and I’m gonna be typing gallery tags for days … but it’s worth it. I can’t wait for people to see this show,” she said.

The Art Center and United Bank welcome WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center as prize sponsors for this biennial exhibit.

She Lights Up the Room by Marlene L’Abbe of Albany, Ohio (Photo Provided)

Appetizers and refreshments will be served at the reception. A cash bar will be available, including the option to purchase a PODA cup for strolling Market Street with a drink in hand. The Market, the Art Center’s artist market and gift shop, will remain open late on Friday and will feature artist demonstrations.

The PAC Regional Exhibit will remain on display through Friday, Aug. 22. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is free, courtesy of WVU Medicine Camden Clark.

More information is available online at www.parkersburgartcenter.org or by emailing info@parkersburgartcenter.org.

On the same evening, downtown Parkersburg will host the third Meet Me on Market event. From 5-8 p.m., visitors can enjoy live music, art activities, shopping, food, wellness pop-ups, and more.

ArtBeat Studio with the Wood County Society will help everyone get creative with a community painting project. Joining them at the corner of Eighth and Market streets will be representatives from Downtown PKB with a golf hole challenge toward winning free tickets to the Downtown Throwdown. Across the street the team from West Virginia University at Parkersburg will feature chalk art and a trivia game.

Zen Is When by Bonnie Proudfoot of Athens, Ohio (Photo Provided)

The Actor’s Guild of Parkersburg will have members of the cast from “Drowsy Chaperone” perform some numbers from that upcoming show.

Parkersburg Brewing Company will be offering brewery tours every hour and visitors will be able to pop into WineDown for a cocktail for the PODA cup. Both restaurants will be open and ready to serve.

First Chapter Bookstore will be open late with a bookfair pop-up. And, across the street, Enhanced Wellness, on the corner of Seventh and Market streets, will keep the fun going with music and a selfie station by A-ROC Entertainment. They will also be offering a beauty product raffle and Sunset Slush will have a stand with cool treats.

Over at Highmark Plaza, the Simply Kin Mini Market returns with a lineup of local makers, live music, and the Sips Coffee truck will be giving away a limited run event sticker to the first 50 customers on Friday evening.

Just down the block, Rooted Wellness MOV will welcome guests into their new space and will demonstrate fire cupping. And a bit further down the Market, the United Way office will host Christmas in July with free book giveaways, an art activity and even a visit from Santa. The Blennerhassett Hotel is also a PODA stop and another place to grab a bite or take a rest in their first floor library.

Also of note, Discovery World on Market will be hosting a Fun Friday with Color Splash as the theme from 4-6 p.m. These activities are included with general admission or membership.

There will be a Meet Me on Market scavenger hunt bingo card. Completed cards can be turned into Sips Coffee Truck by Tuesday to enter a drawing for a prize bundle filled with downtown swag–including beauty products, t-shirts, gift cards and even tickets to local happenings.